HIST 417 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Easter Rising, Ian Mcneill, Native Americans In The United States
Document Summary
World war i breaks out, home rule suspended, civil war forestalled. Thousands of irishmen willing to fight against central powers. =270,000 irishmen serving with/in alliance with british forces. John redman pledges irish support not just for domestic defense but also for foreign assignment. Believed internal divisions caused by passing of home rule could be assuaged through common cause. However, actually leads to split between moderate and advanced nationalists within volunteer force. These radicals headed by ian mcneill, influenced by irb. Irb is committed to staging uprising during world war i. Irb members infiltrate irish volunteers and secure majority on general council. Though this remains very minor effort, redman still dominant though not singular. Slights from british officials re: trustworthiness of irish. Kept occupying troops in ireland even when needed on front. Created unique ulster division, but integrated other irishmen into english divisions. Belief was that world war i would be over fast have home rule soon.
